This Old Tennessee Car Dealership Is Now A Nostalgic Museum With Around 40 Classic Vehicles

A replica of a 1901 Oldsmobile and a 1981 DeLorean share the same roof here. That’s 80 years of car history parked in one old showroom.

The building once sold Dodges and Plymouths for decades. Now it holds around 40 classic vehicles, plus a recreated Texaco station and a little diner setup.

I have a soft spot for places built from one person’s lifelong passion. This Tennessee spot started because a wife told her car-loving husband to share his collection with the world.

I love the idea of a museum where the cars quietly rotate every month. So which one would you want to sit behind the wheel of first?

A Wife’s Smart Suggestion Started The Whole Thing

Some of the best ideas come from the person across the dinner table. City Garage Car Museum exists because Bettye Anne Bewley suggested her husband open a museum as he neared retirement.

Kent Bewley, a Greeneville native, had plenty of beloved cars and nowhere special to show them. Her idea gave the collection a real home in 2009.

Cars run deep in this family. Kent’s father owned a Packard, Pontiac, and Cadillac dealership starting back in 1937.

Kent later owned several dealerships himself during his career. So this museum isn’t a hobby that popped up overnight.

It’s more like a family story told through chrome, steel, and old dealer signs. That history gives the whole place a personal feel that bigger museums often miss.

I can understand why so many car lovers point their road trips toward this corner of Tennessee. It’s one thing to see old cars behind ropes.

It’s another to know a real person picked each one for a reason. The Bewleys clearly care about every vehicle’s background and story.

That kind of passion is tough to fake. Honestly, Bettye Anne deserves a little plaque of her own somewhere inside.

The Building Sold Cars Long Before It Showed Them Off

Feed sacks came first. In the 1930s, this spot operated as a Kasco Feed Store, which is about as far from a sports car as you can get.

Then the Bullen family took over and ran a Dodge-Plymouth dealership here. That chapter lasted from the 1940s into the late 1970s.

Think about how many families drove off this lot with a shiny new ride. Generations of Greeneville drivers probably shook hands on deals right where the exhibits now sit.

That’s what makes the setting feel so fitting. A former car dealership full of classic cars is a nice full-circle moment.

Plenty of museums are built inside brand-new buildings. This one gets to borrow decades of real automotive history from its own walls.

Before you go, it helps to know a little of this background. You’ll notice the space differently once you know what used to happen there.

The museum sits in historic downtown Greeneville, Tennessee. That location adds even more old-town charm to the visit.

History buffs and gearheads can both find something to appreciate here. It’s a rare case where the building is part of the exhibit.

Eighty Years Of Driving History Fit Under One Roof

Start with a replica of a 1901 Oldsmobile and you’re seeing a recreation of one of the earliest chapters in automotive history. It looks more like a fancy buggy than anything on today’s highways.

Nearby, a 1914 Ford Model T shows how driving started reaching everyday folks. That little car changed how America traveled.

Around 40 vehicles fill City Garage Car Museum, and the range is wide. Most belong to Kent Bewley, while some are on loan from other owners.

The mix keeps things interesting for every type of visitor. You’ll see true antiques, flashy muscle, and some oddballs too.

A replica of a 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster has also been displayed at the museum. Its long, sweeping rear end looks like it belongs in an old Hollywood film.

There’s also a 1957 Chevrolet Convertible wearing a Continental Kit. That’s the spare tire mounted on the back bumper, a stylish trick from the era.

Here’s a tip for families. Ask kids to pick the oldest car and the newest car, then compare them.

It turns a museum walk into a fun detective game. Spotting how headlights, wheels, and seats changed over time is surprisingly addictive.

Go Ahead And Say Great Scott At The DeLorean

Gullwing doors never get old. The 1981 DeLorean here is one of those cars that makes grown adults grin like kids.

Its stainless steel body and upward-swinging doors still look futuristic. Movie fans will instantly think of a certain time-traveling adventure.

Right in the same collection, a 1972 DeTomaso Pantera brings Italian-styled muscle. It’s low, wide, and looks fast even while parked.

The performance lineup doesn’t stop there. A 1967 Shelby GT 500 sometimes appears on loan, so it may or may not be in when you visit.

That’s worth keeping in mind if one specific car is your main reason to go. Calling ahead before a long drive is a smart move.

A Bricklin has also been part of the mix. It’s a rare, quirky car that many people have never even heard of.

These are the cars that spark conversations on the ride home. Somebody will definitely argue about which one they’d choose.

My vote would probably swing between the DeLorean and the Pantera. I’d have a hard time choosing, honestly.

Fill Up Your Nostalgia Tank At The Texaco Station

Old gas stations had real style. The recreated Texaco Service Station at this Tennessee museum brings that look right back.

Period trucks help set the scene. A 1923 Ford Model T truck parks there like it’s waiting for a fill-up.

Then comes the surprise. A mule-drawn Studebaker oil tanker is part of the display too.

Yes, fuel once traveled by mule power. That’s a fun fact to share with anyone who complains about gas prices.

This area works well for photos. The bright Texaco branding and vintage vehicles make a colorful backdrop.

It’s also a great spot for older relatives to share memories. Many folks remember a time when attendants pumped your gas and checked your oil.

Kids may find the whole idea pretty wild. Full-service stations sound almost like science fiction to them.

Take a few minutes to look at the smaller details here. Recreated scenes like this reward slow looking more than quick glances.

It’s one of the clearest examples of how much care went into the museum. The display feels like a tiny time capsule.

Grab A Booth At Suzie Q’s And Catch A Picture Show

Cars weren’t the only thing people loved in the old days. Small-town diners and movie houses were part of the fun too.

That’s why City Garage Car Museum includes Suzie Q’s Diner. It’s a retro diner setup that fits right in with the classic rides.

Here’s a neat bonus for parents. Suzie Q’s is available for events like birthday parties.

A car-themed birthday in a vintage diner setting? That beats another pizza party, no offense to pizza.

Nearby, the Palace Movie Theatre display adds another slice of downtown nostalgia. There’s also an area called the Emporium.

Together, these spaces make the museum feel like a little main street from decades past. You’re not just looking at cars, you’re seeing the world they drove through.

That context helps everything click. A 1957 Chevy makes more sense when you can picture it parked outside a diner.

If you’re planning a party, reach out to the museum ahead of time. Groups of 10 or more can also arrange special scheduling.

Either way, these themed corners give non-car people plenty to enjoy too.

Racing Fans Should Head Straight For The NASCAR Corner

NASCAR runs deep in the South. So it makes sense that this museum has a dedicated racing section.

The star is a street version of Dale Earnhardt’s race car. For fans of The Intimidator, that’s a pretty exciting sight.

Local racing pride shows up too. The car of hometown racer Dub Utsman from nearby Bluff City has been displayed here.

That regional touch adds something big tracks can’t offer. It connects the collection to East Tennessee’s own racing history.

If someone in your group follows NASCAR, budget extra time here. Racing fans tend to linger and point out every little detail.

For casual visitors, it’s still a cool look at how racing culture shaped car design. Street versions show how track excitement made its way to regular roads.

Another fun bit sits in the Bewley Motor Co. area. Original signs and dealer tags from the family business are on display.

Those pieces tie the whole museum back to its roots. Racing heroes and hometown dealers share space under one roof.

That mix keeps the visit feeling personal and fun.

Plan Around Fridays And Saturdays Or You’ll Miss Out

Timing matters with this one. The museum opens only on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

So a Tuesday road trip won’t work unless you’ve arranged a group visit. Groups of 10 or more can set up optional scheduling.

You’ll find it at 210 South Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. It sits right in historic downtown.

Admission is very budget-friendly for adults. Kids 10 and under get in free, which parents will appreciate.

Bring cash for admission, since that’s the payment method to plan on. A quick ATM stop beforehand saves any awkward moments.

The museum is handicap accessible. That makes it easier for grandparents and anyone using a wheelchair to join the fun.

Leave yourself a comfortable chunk of time. Many folks spend somewhere between 30 minutes and an hour exploring.

Car fanatics may need longer, of course. Reading every sign at City Garage Car Museum can easily stretch your stay.

A small gift shop offers T-shirts, caps, and books. It’s a handy spot for a souvenir before heading out.

A President’s Home Sits Right Across The Street

Not many car museums have a presidential neighbor. This one sits directly across from the Andrew Johnson Homestead.That was the home of the 17th U.S. President.

It makes pairing the two stops incredibly easy.

The Greeneville Historical Museum is close by too. You could build a full history-packed day without driving much at all.

Here’s another reason to come back more than once. Kent Bewley keeps around 30 more vehicles in storage.

He rotates at least one or two into the display each month. So your second visit might show you something new.

City Garage Car Museum ranks as the second-most-visited attraction in Greeneville. That’s pretty impressive for a museum open just two days a week.

It shows how well the idea works. Good cars, good stories, and a great location make a strong combo.

East Tennessee has plenty of scenic drives, so the trip itself can be part of the fun. Just maybe leave the DeLorean jokes at home.

Or don’t. Honestly, they never really get old here.